Overview
564 Episodes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by qualitative sociologist, Dr. Gretchen Sisson. Gretchen’s researches pregnancy, abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) department at UC San Francisco. Her 2024 book is: “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood “ Follow Gretchen: @GretchenSisson
Transcribed - Published: 11 August 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by biologist and Professor of science writing, Anne E. Greene. They discuss Anne’s book, “Writing Science in Plain English, Second Edition.”
Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Science & Environment Writer, Starre Vartan. They discuss Starre’s newest book, “The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us about the Power of the Female Body.” Follow: @StarreVartan
Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by psycholinguist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin−Madison, Dr. Maryellen MacDonald. They discuss her book, More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World. Follow Maryellen: @maryellenmacdonald
Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Energy and Environment Reporter for The Hill, Rachel Frazin. They talk about her book, “Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America” Follow Rachel: @RachelFrazin
Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by photo editor and writer Anika Burgess to discuss her new book, “Flashes of Brilliance: The Genius of Early Photography and How It Transformed Art, Science, and History.” Follow Anika: @aburgessphoto
Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by environmental scientist turned freelance writer and editor, Sarah Boon. They discuss her new book, “Meltdown: The Making and Breaking of a Field Scientist” Follow Sarah: @snowhydro.bsky.social
Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astrophysicist, University of Arizona Associate Professor, and Director of the Arizona Space Institute, Erika Hamden. We discuss her new book, “Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know About Space (and Why It’s Important).” Follow Erika: @erika.hamden
Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science communicator, author and associate professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Dr. Carly Anne York. They discuss her new book, “ The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog: And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science.” Follow Carly: @CarlyAnneYork
Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer, author, and geoscientist, Dr. Lisa S. Gardiner. They discuss her newly released book, Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival . Follow Lisa: @Lisasgardiner
Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist and author, Liz Kalaugher. They discuss Liz’s newly released book, “The Elephant in the Room: How to Stop Making Ourselves and Other Animals Sick.” Follow Liz: @LizKalaugher
Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbiologist, science communicator, Adjunct Professor at Indiana University South Bend and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Maggie M. Fink. They discuss her newest co-authored book, “The Color of North: The Molecular Language of Proteins and the Future of Life.” Follow Maggie: @MaggieMFink
Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, historian, journalist and mystery novelist, Brandy Schillace, PHD. They discuss Brandy’s newest book, “The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story.” Follow Brandy: @bschillace.brandyschillace.com
Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbial biogeochemist, Professor of Earth Science and Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California, Dr. Karen G. Lloyd. They discuss Karen’s new book, “Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth.” Follow Karen: @KarenLloyd
Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine in the Department of the History of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mary Fissell. They talk about her book, “Pushback: The 2,500-Year Fight to Thwart Women by Restricting Abortion.”
Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by educator, civil servant, and the 15th Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), John B. King, Jr. We discuss his new book, “Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.” Follow John: @John.B.King
Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by wildlife ecologist, TV presenter, author, and science communicator, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. They discuss Rae’s newest project co-hosting NBC’s original series Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild. This new series showcases wildlife success stories across the United States and inspires the next generation of conservationists. Follow Rae: @raewynngrant
Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian, ecologist, and environmental studies professor at Williams College, Dr. Laura J. Martin. They discuss her book, “Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration.” Follow Laura: @Laura_J_Martin
Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Helen King. Helen is a Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at The Open University, and an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England, where she is vice chair of Together. They discuss her newest book: “Immaculate Forms: A History of the Female Body in Four Parts.” Follow Helen: @helenking
Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by cognitive neuroscientist and neuroimaging expert, Gina Rippon. They discuss her forthcoming book (April 1 2025), “Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls”, which is a call to recognize the full spectrum of the autistic experience. Follow Gina: @ginarippon1
Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard University Professor of the History of Science and author, Rebecca Lemov. They discuss her newest book, “THE INSTABILITY OF TRUTH: Brainwashing, Mind Control and Hyper-Persuasian.” Follow Rebecca: @rebeccalemov
Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times bestselling nature writer, Leigh Ann Henion. They talk about Leigh’s newest book, “Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark.” Follow Leigh: @leighannhenion
Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by conservation scientist and award-winning science writer, Lauren E. Oakes. They talk about her latest book on the global reforestation movement, “Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future.” Follow Lauren: @OakesLE
Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Emory University professor of biology and director of the Infectious Diseases across Scales Training Program, Dr. Jaap De Roode. They discuss his new book, “Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves.”
Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Assistant Professor at University of Michigan School of Information, Oliver L. Haimson. They talk about his forthcoming book, Trans Technologies. Follow Oliver: @haimson
Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian and Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA, Dr. Lynn Hunt. They discuss Lynn’s newest book, The Revolutionary Self: Social Change and the Emergence of the Modern Individual, 1770-1800.
Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning author and associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, Dr. Rina Bliss. They discuss Rina’s new book, Humans: A Monstrous History. Follow Rina: Dr.rinabliss
Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by British writer, speaker, historian, and monster consultant, Dr. Surekha Davies. They discuss Surekha’s new book, Humans: A Monstrous History. Follow Surekha: @surekhadavies
Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian, BBC broadcaster and writer, Eleanor Barraclough. They discuss Eleanor’s new book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age .
Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University, Anne Toomey. They discuss Anne’s new book, “Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy.”
Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Judith Herman MD. They discuss her new book, “Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice."
Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2025
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Lebanese-American writer, Stephanie Gorton. They discuss Stephanie’s new book, “The Icon and the Idealist: Margaret Sanger, Mary Ware Dennett, and the Rivalry that Brought Birth Control to America.” Follow Stephanie: @sdgorton
Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Mexican-American architect, attorney, Cornell University professor and National Zoning Atlas founder, Sara Bronin. They discuss Sara’s new book: “Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World.” Follow Sara: @sarabronin
Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by practicing therapist, writer, speaker on mental health inclusion, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj Kaur Kohli (MaEd, LGPC). They discuss her debut book: “But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures.” Follow Sahaj: sahajkohli
Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by bestselling writer and Fellow of St Catherine's College, Katherine Rundell. They discuss her newest book, “Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures.” Follow Kate: Katherine.rundell
Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by human rights lawyer, scientist, scholar of bias, and the founder and CEO of BE MORE with Anu, Anu Gupta. They discuss his new book: “Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From--and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel” Follow Anu: @anuguptany
Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by natural history writer and author, Josh Davis. They discuss his new book, “A Little Queer Natural History”. Follow Josh: @joshlukedavis.bsky.social
Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and professor of history at the University of Delaware, Rebecca L. Davis. They talk about her new book, “Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America.”
Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by San Angelo-based oncologist, author and Advocate for Medical Humanities & Ethics, Dr. Fazlur Rahman MD. They discuss his just released book, Our Connected Lives: Caring for Cancer Patients in Rural Texas.
Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and assistant professor at the Dept. of Logic, History, and Philosophy of Science at the National Distance Education University (UNED) in Madrid, Susana Monsó. They discuss her new book, “Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death” which grapples with how animals conceive death—and what it can teach us about our own relationship with mortality. Follow Susana: @SusanaMonso
Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and language scientist, Julie Sedivy. They discuss her newest book, “Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love.” Follow Julie: @JulieSedivy
Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History at Yale University and professor at the Yale School of the Environment, Dr. Sunil Amrith. Sunil is the author of five books, and we discuss his newest one, “The Burning Earth: A History.” Follow Sunil: @sunilamrith
Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara finishes her conversation with Brown University Chancellor’s Professor of Africana Studies, Dr. Tricia Rose. They dive deeper into her book, “Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives—and How We Break Free.” Follow Tricia: @ProfTriciaRose
Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by marine biologist, climate policy expert, and co-founder of the non-profit think tank Urban Ocean Lab, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. They discuss her forthcoming book, “What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures.” Follow Ayana: @ayanaeliza
Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2024
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by marine biologist, shark scientist, and co-founder and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), Jasmin Graham. They discuss diversity in marine science and Jasmin’s new book, “Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist.” Follow Jasmin: @Elasmo_Gal
Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2024
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by body image expert, professor of psychology and director of the Health Sciences Center at Rutgers University-Camden, Dr. Charlotte Markey. They discuss her new book, “Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life.” Follow Charlotte: @Char_Markey
Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2024
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astrobiologist, theoretical physicist, and Arizona State University professor, Sara Imari Walker. They discuss her new book, “Life as No One Knows It: THE PHYSICS OF LIFE'S EMERGENCE” Follow Sara: @Sara_Imari
Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2024
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Historian of the United States, American West & Civil War, James Tejani. They discuss his new book, “A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America.” Follow James’ work.
Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2024
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician and science writer, Robyn Arianrhod. They discuss Robyn’s newest book, “Vector: A Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation.” Published by: @UChicagoPress
Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2024
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Talk Nerdy, Inc., and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.